So Many Books, So Little Time

As the Assistant Editor for the Story Circle Books Reviews, I see (and feel and smell and fondle...oh my!) all of the wonderful books made available to our review team. I'm the contact point for the publicists and publishers. For an avid reader and book lover like me, this is sweet torture. Many a day, I find myself wanting to keep each book for myself to read, to savor, to review. Alas, I can't find that many hours in my day, and I suspect you can't either. Enter our wonderful review team. I offer the books and they are spoken for immediately, so eager are they to see the newest in women's literature.  On the site, we feature books of varied genre including memoir, mainstream fiction, poetry, travel, self-help,books on lifewriting,and so many more. We even have chick lit for those times you need a good "cozy" to curl up with and just relax.

Every week, I'll update our latest reviews for you. For instance, since this is Election week, you might want to check out Michelle: A Biography by Liza Mundy, for a look into the life of our new First Lady Elect. On a lighter note, you might enjoy our Review of the Month penned by Patricia Pando--American Wife: A Novel by Curtis Sittenfeld. If some of the characters seem familiar, well, you'll just have to read the book. I have a copy on my bedside table and it's beckoning to me...OK, Susan, focus! you have a deadline. Where was I?  Aah...Books!

Some weeks, I'll probably talk less about books and more about reading. Why? Because I believe that most good writers are readers too. A good author is an instructor, whether or not she intends to be. There is so much to be gained by spending time in the company of a good book. Be aware of the author's style. See the development of characters. Watch for the way dialogue is used. Consider the descriptive prose. Lest you think this would make reading tedious or would distract you, let me assure you it does not. Those elements of style are the very reason(s) you are drawn to a book and immerse yourself in the joy of reading it. Just know that there are lessons to be learned every time you read. Take some time to reflect on these qualities.

At its most basic, consider a young child just beginning to read. Every time a book is read, a vocabulary is built and added to. Now, if you sat a child down and said "It's time for your vocabulary lesson," the squirming would start in a matter of minutes (I'm talking about at home, not school). Just put a book into those little hands. Be available to answer questions and share the experience. Read to a child too young to read on her own. There are many things I don't remember about my childhood, but I cannot remember being without a book. It's that elemental.

Comments

[Susan Albert]

"It's that elemental." Oh, I agree, Susan! I often look around my bookshelves and think about all the voices that have spoken to me through those books, throughout the decades of my life. Thank you for reminding me of just how important books have been in shaping the person I have become.

[Rhonda]

Good article, Susan. One thing I may comment on: in the children's area (or teen/Young adult)- in addition to encouraging your child to read, it is a great idea to attempt to read the book yourself before or while the child is reading it. This allows you to comment and discuss the book with them. Not only do you sometimes find some gems to read, but it can and will bring you closer to your child if you can intelligently discuss with them 'why the dragon turned blue'. If your child knows you are reading the books, it can even instill more of a challenge for them as they may want to make sure they get to the end before you (but if this bothers them, go ahead and read the book, just don't tell them you know how it ends already).

[Linda C. Wisniewski]

Yes, Susan, I can relate! So hard to let go of those great books for StoryCircle Book Reviews...so many books, so little time. And thanks for the reminder about being aware of an author's style - it really does add to the enjoyment of a good book.

[Penny Appleby]

So glad to know I'm not the only person who feels the stress of too many books to read. While I was still reading one book, I signed up to review another. The book was just too tempting. And this is in addition to trying to get the books read for the two book clubs I'm in. Then there are all those books, I see in the bookstore that I want to read and all the ones my friends tell me about....oh dear! Look forward to your weekly comments.

[Duffie Bart]

Susan, What a wonderful essay about books and what an outstanding job overall you are doing! I feel you are a kindred spirit to me with all that you say (write), how you communicate with us... for various reasons. Books are truly my lifeline. I have been asked to write an article about aging in which I plan to mention the importance of books to me, especially at this time in my life when I finally have the delicious leisure to read slowly, to savor one book after the other. Thank you for all you do! Duffie

[Linda Hoye]

How true! There are so many books, that I find there is not enough time for me to read just one. I usually have a few on the go at once. I have a house full of books that I have read, that I haven't yet read, and that I plan to read again. Yet I still keep buying more!

[Susan E Ideus]

Susan,
I agree that the books I've read have helped shape me. I've also found that as I change, the books I choose are different too. It's a cyclical thing. Books change us, and as we change our taste in books does also.

[Susan E Ideus]

Thanks for the kind words, Rhonda. I read so many of the books my girls read when they were younger, and enjoyed most of them. Does help with the discussion. What has been an unexpected blessing is that the three of us still read some of the same books. I love it!

[Linda Pennington]

What a true statement about putting books in the hands of children rather than a vocabulary lesson. I know that books can take you places you never thought you would go. They are so wonderful. No wonder children like to read and be read to.

[Susan Ideus]

Linda, I know it must have been difficult for you to let go of all those wonderful books too. Quite an exercise in self-control, right?

[Susan Ideus]

Oh Penny, you're right! We're bombarded on all sides with new book information. I'll try a new author that's been recommended and then want to read more from that author. Or, I'll read an SCN post and a title will catch my eye, and then, there are emails from Amazon and trips to the library. Good grief, it's a wonder I get anything else done! But then, all reading is a learning experience...

[Susan Ideus]

Thanks for your kind words, Duffie. I am so looking forward to that "delicious" leisure time to read. I think as we age, we need to keep our minds active and learning. What better way than books?

[Susan Ideus]

Linda H., I always have more than one book started--one for the car, one by my bed, and several just for different moods. It seems there are still many more calling my name! :-)

[Susan E Ideus]

Linda P. (so many Lindas have been here!), my girls had the cloth and cardboard books from the time they could hold them. I read to them before they were born, so holding books became a natural for them. They are still that way!

[Lee Ambrose]

Glad to know I am not the only one who (a)is confronted with the "too many books, too little time" phenomenon and (b) the fetish, if you will, of smelling, touching, hugging...fondling new books. I find being in the presence or essence of the authors who penned those new books an absolutely soulful experience. Be it the stacks at the public library, the aisles of the book store, or the endless pages of the online book stores, books are one of my word-related passions and I so relate to your essay.

[Susan Ideus]

Lee, you're so understanding about my "fetish." :-) I can look at books anywhere, any time. Online is great when I need a hit late at night! I'm in awe of authors, truly I am. The imagination, talent and effort is awesome. Even with some of the "cozies" I read, I think I always come away having learned at least some small fact.

[Renee]

What a great opener for this blog page. I am obsessed with books and reading. I must own every book I choose to read, but really need to start using the library more.

I learn so much from reading memoirs and books on writing memoir that help me in my own writing journey. I look forward to reading more of this page and adding my own 2 or 3 cents to the comments.